Abolish demand. End trafficking.
A Wisconsin United Against Human Trafficking
Human trafficking exists when exploitation is profitable.
To abolish something means to completely do away with it. When demand for paid sex is abolished, sex trafficking ends. We’re a group of men in Greater Madison / Dane County who volunteer our time to:
- disrupt demand with buyers at the point of sale online.
- connect buyers who ask for help with local resources to help them break out of the destructive cycles of addiction.
- advocate for the adoption of municipal ordinances specifically targeting demand.
What We Do
Municipal Trafficking Suppression Initiative
THE PROBLEM
Combating trafficking by seeking to prosecute sex TRAFFICKERS is very difficult. Winning a court case consumes significant funding from tight budgets, takes many staff-hours under tight staffing, and requires the legal / law enforcement / community service teams to stay in contact with trafficking victims who must often be convinced again to testify when the case finally comes before the bench. Even then, attorney generals may choose not to take the case to trial and trial judges unfamiliar with the impact of trafficking on public safety may reduce the sentence.
A UNIQUE SOLUTION
Following the example of Houston TX, Denver CO, and Cook County IL, we are advocating for the adoption of simple municipal ordinances that suppress the demand for paid sex with heavy fines on sex BUYERS. The violation does not typically end up as a complicated court case with the buyer simply paying the fine and fulfilling required attendance of a sex trafficking awareness training. The fine provides funding for local law enforcement to conduct sting operations which may be carried out in the process of enforcing the ordinance.
Online Demand Disruption Initiative
THE PROBLEM
Very simply… the demand for paid sex directly fuels sex trafficking. It’s a lucrative business to sell humans over and over again when the penalty for buying them is so minimal.
A UNIQUE APPROACH
Disrupt demand directly, online, at the point of sale, using various software platforms to intercept buyers and talk with them directly about what they’re doing. When we meet them in this way two things happen:
- About 5% of the buyers intercepted will stay online to talk about why they’re choosing to buy. Half of those who stay in the conversation are willing to accept information on resources dealing with the addictions that keep them coming back whether they want to or not.
- Demand goes down over a city or a region as word gets around in online buyer forums that the “market” isn’t as confidential as it was.
How We Turn Awareness Into Action
Step 1
Learn What Drives Exploitation
Explore how demand for commercial sex fuels trafficking and learn to recognize the systems that enable harm.
Step 2
Build Community Response
Connect with neighbors, advocates, and local partners to share resources and strengthen prevention efforts.
Step 3
Take Action to Reduce Demand
Use what you learn to challenge harmful norms, support survivor-centered solutions, and advocate for lasting change.
Understanding the Scale of Trafficking
These global estimates show why prevention matters; they are not counts of trafficking cases in Wisconsin.
People in Forced Commercial Sexual Exploitation
An estimated 6.3 million people experienced forced commercial sexual exploitation on any given day in 2021, according to the ILO, Walk Free, and IOM.
Women and Girls Among Those Exploited
Women and girls accounted for an estimated 78% of people in forced commercial sexual exploitation in 2021. Addressing demand is one part of preventing this harm.
Ways to Learn and Connect
Demand Reduction Learning Session
Date to be announced
Free to attend
Community Awareness Conversation
Schedule coming soon
Open to all
Survivor-Centered Advocacy Workshop
Details to be announced
No cost to join
Wisconsin Partner Meet-Up
Upcoming date to be confirmed
Free community gathering
Why Our Community Takes Action
★★★★★
“Learning how demand fuels trafficking changed the way I talk about prevention. I support this work because lasting change starts with what our communities are willing to confront.”
A Wisconsin Supporter
Community advocate
★★★★★
“I want my neighbors to understand that ending trafficking takes more than awareness. It takes people working together to challenge exploitation at its source.”
A Local Volunteer
Volunteer and outreach participant
★★★★★
“This mission gives me a practical way to stand with people affected by trafficking while helping build a future where exploitation is not accepted.”
A Community Partner
Wisconsin community member
Help Abolish Demand. Help End Trafficking.
Turn your concern into action. Support Abolition Wisconsin’s efforts to challenge the demand that drives exploitation and help more people join the movement to end trafficking.